Part 1 Introduction

We are excited that you are interested in gaining your National Registry certification. We want to prepare you so that you know what to do to get certified. The handbook contains information on National Registry certification. 
 
It explains your responsibilities and the steps to earn certification. It also explains how the examination works and what the certification policies are. Please read the entire handbook. 
 
This handbook is for candidates who are completing or have recently completed an educational program. 
 
You may have concerns that are not addressed in this handbook. For those questions, we are pleased to serve you through our website, call center, or email. 

We use examinations to make sure candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to be a paramedic. The examination is the same across the country to make sure that everyone meets the same standards. As a result, the Paramedic certification lets the public, healthcare providers, employers, and others know that you have the knowledge and skills to work safely and effectively. 
 
Successfully obtaining National Registry certification does not grant you the right to practice. You must obtain a state-issued license in order to legally practice as a paramedic. In many states, National Registry certification is one of the requirements to earn a state license to practice. 

The purpose of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, as the EMS certification organization, we ensure that all EMS clinicians have the knowledge and skills required for competent practice.

The National Registry: 

• Establishes applicant eligibility requirements for National Registry certification 
• Develops the certification examination  
• Establishes recertification requirements 
• Reviews self-disclosed disciplinary actions taken against an applicant’s healthcare related professional licenses
• Monitors certification status of certified  EMS clinicians and takes appropriate action against the certification when apprised of adverse licensure actions
• Provides to licensing or designated authorizing agencies obtained adverse licensure action information regarding certified EMS clinicians 

The National Registry does not: 

• Establish education program curricular content or instructional practices 
• Accredit or approve education programs for certification or recertification 
• Assess job performance 
• Assess fitness for all aspects of job performance (physical, mental, criminal background clearance) 
• Investigate complaints regarding EMS practice 
• Establish scopes of practice or standards of care 
• Establish job-related standards of professional behavior 

The first four steps in this process are the following: 

STEP  1: 

Begin an Education Program
Before you can apply for a Paramedic certification, you must have at least an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license or certification. If you have a higher-level license or certification, you may also start a Paramedic education program. You must be in a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic program (or a program that has a CoAEMSP “Letter of Review”) as the National Registry only accepts candidates from these accredited programs. Contact your state EMS office to find programs in your area.

STEP  2: 

Create account
Once you are enrolled in a Paramedic educational program, create your National Registry account if you do not already have one.

STEP  3: 

Submit application and payment
Submit your application about four weeks before you complete your program. The Program Director must approve your application when you complete the course requirements. The payment for your examination is due before you will be authorized to sit for the examination.  

STEP  4: 

Register for the examination
You need three things for your application to be complete: submitted application, submitted payment, and your Program Director’s approval. Once your application is complete, we will update your National Registry account with your Authorization to Test (ATT) within one to two business days. 

You have 90 days from the day we issue your ATT to complete your examination. You will lose your ATT and the money you paid if you do not use your ATT within 90 days. 
 
Go to the Pearson VUE website to schedule your examination. After your examination, your results will post to your Registry account within three business days. 

Contact the National Registry

Contact the National Registry with questions about your certification application, the examination, or certification policies:

General Questions

Website: www.nremt.org
Telephone: 1-614-888-4484
Fax: 1-614-396-2428

Address for applications and check or money orders:
The National Registry of EMTs
PO Box 77200
Detroit, MI, 48277-2000

Address for packages and general mail:
6610 Busch Blvd
Columbus, OH 43229

National Registry Accounts, Applications, Name Changes, and General Questions
support@nremt.org

Examination Results
exams@nremt.org

Recertification
support@nremt.org

Accommodations
accommodations@nremt.org
  
Criminal Convictions
evaluation@nremt.org

Contact Pearson VUE

Contact Pearson VUE with questions about Pearson VUE login assistance and scheduling or rescheduling examinations:

Website: www.pearsonvue.com/nremt/
Telephone: 1-866-673-6896
Email Form: https://home.pearsonvue.com/test-taker/customer-service/Email-form-americas-professional.aspx
Address: Pearson Professional Testing, 5601 Green Valley Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437

Contact your State EMS Office

The Registry has a State EMS Office contact list for your convenience. Follow the link below and select your state to find their contact information: www.nremt.org/resources/state-ems-offices